Baltimore Washington Eye Center Announces Fireworks Eye Safety Awareness Month

BALTIMORE, MD, June 30, 2012 (Press-News.org) "Contrary to what you might think, there is no safe way for nonprofessionals to use fireworks and the risk of catastrophic eye injury is real and not trivial," commented Baltimore Ophthalmologist Arturo Betancourt, M.D., Medical Director of Baltimore Washington Eye Center.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks are involved in approximately 10,000 injuries per year that are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. Of those, 2/3 occurred during the one month period surrounding the July 4th holiday. It is important to note that
- Eyes were the second most commonly injured part of the body!
- Males were injured 3x more than females.
- Approximately 25% of injuries are to children under 15.

Fireworks and celebrations go together, especially during the Fourth of July. But there are precautions parents can take to prevent these injuries. The best defense against kids suffering severe eye injuries and burns is to not let kids play with any fireworks. Do not purchase, use or store fireworks of any type. Protect yourself, your family and your friends by avoiding fireworks. Attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators, but be aware that even professional displays can be dangerous.

Some general guidelines to be aware of in the event an eye accident and injury does occur, include:
- Do not rub the eye.
- Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be even more damaging than rubbing.
- Do not apply pressure to the eye itself- but protecting the eye from further contact with any item, including the child's hand.
- Do not stop for medicine! Over-the-counter pain relievers will not do much to relieve pain. Aspirin (should never be given to children) and ibuprofen can thin the blood, increasing bleeding. Take the child to the emergency room at once.
- Do not apply ointments or drops. They may not be sterile and may make the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.

According to Baltimore Washington Eye Center Refractive Services Director Brad Spagnolo, M.D., "Once you are seen in the emergency room, please feel free to have your doctor call Baltimore Washington Eye Center at 800-495-3937 as we always have an eye doctor 'on call' to provide consultation and continued care for you."

Baltimore Washington Eye Center is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. Baltimore Washington Eye Center is conveniently located for patients from Arbutus, Carney, Catonsville, Clarksville, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgemere, Essex, Ellicott City, Ferndale, Glen Burnie, Kenwood, Laurel, Linthicum, Lutherville, Millersville, Odenton, Olney, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Towson, Parkville, Randallstown, Rivera Beach, Pasadena, Severna Park, South Gate and Woodlawn Maryland.

When you visit Baltimore Washington Eye Center please ask us any questions you might have the best way to protect your eyes with the proper eyewear and lens choices or visit us at http://www.bweyecenter.com or http://www.facebook.com/baltimorewashingtoneyecenter.

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.
http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com
http://www.seewithlasik.com

For additional information, contact:
Phillip Harrington, Baltimore Washington Eye Center, 200 Hospital Drive, Suite 600, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061, PHarrington@BWEyecenter.com, 800-495-3937.